Three Long-Time Producers Up and Quit ‘Tavis Smiley’

Reports are coming in that there has been a big shake up at the popular late night PBS program “Tavis Smiley.”

Three of its top executives have purportedly resigned in unison this past Friday. The executives exiting the show include Neal Kendall (executive producer), Luke Sader (talent producer) and Stephanie Storey (producer).

Some sources have suggested to EURweb that the resignations came after years of acrimony between the staff and the host over differing visions of program direction and quality of show bookings. Speculation has abounded for years as to Smiley’s supposed demanding management style and whether it played a factor in the employees’ decision to leave; or whether the departures were amicable in nature.

The production team was most recently responsible for Smiley’s “Visions for a New America” which aired live on C-Span January 17 from George Washington University. It is not known whether the rather tepid media coverage prior to the broadcast or subsequent ratings impacted the departures.

The alleged resignations ironically come during the tenth anniversary of the television program.